skinner



Patented Jan. l7, I899. C. SKINNER.

ORE CRUSHER.

(Application filed Jan. 11, 1897.)

No. 6l7,78|.

4 Sheets-Sheet I.

(No Model.)

:14: NORRIS wzrzns C0,. PHOYO-UTHQ, WASNINGTON, n. c.

(No Model.)

ca SKINNER.

ORE CRUSHEB.

(Application filed Jan. 11, 1897.)

"m: Moms PETERS co, VH6 nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn c Patented Jan. 17, I899.

4 SheetsSheet 2.

Z Q W? W mg No. 6l7,78l. Patented Jan. [7, I899.

, c. SKINNER. I

om: CRUSHER.

(Application filed Jan. 11, 1897.) (No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheat 3.

No. 6|7,78l. Patenfed Jan. l7, I899. c. SKINNER.

ORE GRUSHER.

(Application filed Jan. 11, 1897.)

(No Model.) 4 Sheets$heet 4.

NITED STATES PATENT Fries.

COURTLAND SKINNER, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNORTOFREDERICK c.

AUSTIN, or SAME PLACE.

ORE-CRUSHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 617,781, dated January17, 1899.

Application filed January 11, 1897. Serial. No. 618,765. (N0 mod e1.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, COURTLAND SKINNER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Ohicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, haveinvented a certain new and useful Improvement in Ore-Crushers, of whichthe following is a specification.

My invention relates to crushing-machines of the class in which thecrushing or reducing action is obtained by means of balls or spheresworking in annular grooves or guideways.

The object of my invention is the production of a crushing-machinehaving an eX- ceedingly simple and efficient construction.

The crusher more particularly described hereinafter comprises a bedhaving a conical upper face which .is provided with concentric annulargrooves, a rotary head which is arranged over the bed and has a centralfeedpassage and a correspondingly concaved and grooved face, and anumber of sets of balls confined in the guideways formed by saidgrooves. The rotary head is arranged so as to be adjustable toward andaway from the bed and has its grooves, except the upper one, formed inbearings which are adjustable in turn toward and away from the bed andwhich are provided with elastic connections tending to normally forcethem toward the latter. By such arrangement material is crushed by theballs working in the guideways formed in the faces of the bed and rotaryhead and finds its way downward and outward in the inclined passageformed by such faces to the successive sets of balls and finally emergesat the base of such passage and is collected. In case unduly largeparticles of material are fed into the machine such particles when actedupon by the first set of balls may cause the rotary head to rise; butthe bearing portions in which the'lower grooves of the rotary head areformed, being subject to. elastic connections tending to force themtoward the bed, will not rise when the rotary head is lifted, but willcontinue to rest upon their respective sets of balls.

As a matter of further improvement the opposing faces of the rotary headand bed are trical energy. By such arrangement the attraction of themagnetic faces provides a powerful, uniform, and easily-regulatedcrushing force in a simple, convenient, and efficient manner.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a central vertical section ofa crusher embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a similar section of amodification of the same. Fig. 3 is a view, partly in elevation andpartly in section, of a modified form of the construction illustrated inFigs. 1 and 2. Fig. 4 is a top plan of a portion of the crusher. Fig. 5is a horizontal section taken on line 5 5 in Fig. 2, and Fig. 6 is a topplan of the crusherbed with the rotary head removed.

The crushing device illustrated in said drawings comprises several setsof metal or other suitably hard crushing-balls arranged in concentricannular series, as at A A A and confined between two oppositely-arrangedand relatively-rotatable surfaces. These surfaces are in engagement withthe balls and are held apart, so as to provide space for the passage ofthe material from one set of balls to the next succeeding set. One ofsaid surfaces is provided by a conic bed B, which is preferablystationary, and the opposing surface,which is concaved substantiallywith the conic-bed surfaces, is desirably provided by arotary head 0,arranged over the bed. The opposing faces or surfaces of the bed androtary head are provided with correspondinglyarranged concentric annulargrooves which form annular tracks or guideways for the balls. By sucharrangement the rotary head can be supported by the balls, which latter,while operating to crush the material,will also serve asantifriction-bearings for the rotary head and alsomaintain the said headin proper position relatively to the head over which it is to rotate.The rotary head is conveniently operated by a rotary shaft D, whichextends through a centrally-arranged bore bin the head. This shaft issuitably connected with the head and operated by any suitably-applieddriving means. For example, it can be geared up with a rotary shaft E,carrying fast and loose pulleys. The rotary head is provided with acentrally-arranged feed opening or passage c, which is convenientlyformed by' a neck o",which rises from the head,and with the illustratedarrangement of operating-shaft the latter can be extended Within thefeedopening 0 and connected with the head by a spider 0 which whileserving as a suitable connection will not close up the said opening. Thespace between the head and bed forms an inclined annular passage, whichslopes downwardly and outwardly from the feedopening 0 and which isinterrupted at intervals by the sets of crushing-balls. Material fedinto the feed-openin g 0 will therefore find its way into the space orpassage between the head and bed, and during the-rotation of the headsuch material will gradually work down the incline. The sets of ballswill successively act upon and pulverize the material thus passingthrough the machine and also permit the material to thus work downwardlytoward the marginal portion of the bed, it being understood that thegrooves in the opposing faces of the head and bed are relativelyshallow, so as to permit suitable portions of the spaces between theballs in each set to be exposed within the space or passage between thehead and bed and thereby allow the material to work between the balls.The number of balls in the set A, which is nearest the feed-opening, issmall in comparison with the number in the next succeeding set A, andsoon, the sets thus progressively considered being successively made upof greater numbers of balls. By this arrangement the resistance to theoperation of the machine will be materially modified, it being seen thatthe material in its coarsest condition is first acted upon by acomparatively few balls and that as the resistance will be proportionateto the number of balls employed the limited number of balls in the firstset will avoid any undesirable resistance to the rotation of the headand at the same time reduce the material, which after such reductionpasses on to the next set of balls in a condition to admit of itscomparatively easy further reduction by a larger number ofcrushing-balls.

The arrangement referred to also permits the balls to be graded-that isto say, the balls of one set can be made of a size different from theballs of the next set. Thus, for example, the balls of the first set Acan be made larger than the balls of the next succeeding set A, and soon. The bed is provided with an annular marginal ledge 12', on which thepulverized material deposits, and the rotary head is provided with ascraper I, which traverses the ledge and carries the pulverized materialaround to a dischargespout G. The head 0 is also preferably arranged soas to be capable of a limited extent of vertical play or movement, sothat it will yield in case unduly coarse material should wedge in theportion of the space or passage between the feed-opening and the firstset of balls. This can be provided for in any suitable mechanical wayas,for example, the upper end of the shaft D can be squared and the spidercan have a correspondingly-shaped hub 0 fitted to slide upon suchsquared end (1 of the shaft.

In Fig. 2 the head is provided with annular bearings II II H in whichthe guidegrooves for the upper portions of the balls are formed. Thebearing II is desirably rigid with the head, while, on the other hand,the bearings H H are made separate from the head and connected therewithby movable connections which permit them to constantly rest upon theballs, although the head may rise as the result of coarse materialwedging in the space between the first set of balls and the feedopening,and which also permit each bearing to rise independently should anymaterial wedge in the space between it and the set of balls workingbelow it. As a simple arrangement the bearings II 11 are connected withthe head by stems 7b, which are rigid with said bearings and arranged topass through guide-openings in the head, and in order to eitectivelyhold these hearings down upon the balls springs h, normally undertension, are arranged between the head and the bearings. In this figurethe bed is provided with a series of annular seats, in which amalgamatedplates I can be placed, so as to adapt the machine to operate as aseparator, it being understood that these plates are placed one uponanother from time to time as needed. With such arrangement the head maybe provided with pendent agitating and spreading devices K, arranged foragitating and spreading the material over the amalgamated plates, and topermit the plates to be conveniently passed through the head the latteris provided with suitable openings normally covered by removable orhinged plates L. lVith this construction the material can be fedinto thefeed-opening c, as hereinbefore set forth, and water can be dischargedinto such opening from a pipe M. In both of the constructions shownmaterial can be let into the feed-opening from a hopper N, sup ported inany convenient way.

In Fig. 3 the adjustable annular bearings II" II are shown respectivelyconstructed of a series of arc-shaped sections 7L2, and each arc-shapedsection 7L2 is provided with a couple of stems h and springs h and alsowith alug h or the like, which is arranged to work in a guideway formedby a couple of lugs 0 proj ecting downwardly from the lower surface ofthe rotary head 0. By such arrangement the wedging of material under aportion of any hearing will not cause the entire bearing to be liftedand so interfere with the operation of the balls in the other portionsof the same, but will lift only that section thereof where the wedgingoccurs.

As a matter of further improvement the bed is adapted to form anelectromagnet, and to such end is provided with a magnetizinghelix belowits upper conical face.

As a convenient construction for the accommodation of such coil thelower end of the bed B is made considerably less in diameter than theupper portion, thus forming a core-or spindle B. The requisite number ofcoils of wire 13 to form the helix P is then wrapped about such core B,and a disk P is fitted over the end of the latter to hold the wire inplace. The rotary head is also provided with a magnetizing-helix R,which is composed of coils of wire r,wrapped about the tubular upper end0, which provides the feedopening 0. This magnetizing-helix is desirablyinclosed within a metal shell or casin g r.

Conducting-wires could be attached to the helices P and R in anysuitable manner, but as a preferred arrangement the bed B, rotary head0, and balls A serve to conductthe energizing-current from one helix tothe other. Thus one end of the wire is attached to the bed 13 at p, asshown in Fig. 2, and one end of the wire 1" is attached to the rotaryhead 0 at 1*. As the helix R on the rotary head is arranged to rotatewith the same, a circular conducting-ring or collector R is provided toserve as a means of connection with the other end of saidhelix. Thisconducting-ring R is shown conveniently situated upon the shell orcasing r, it being understood, however, that it is insulated therefrom.A suitable spring contact-piece S is then secured upon the cover X,which incloses the crusher and is arranged to make contact with the ringB. By such arrangement when an energizing-current traverses the helicesP and R the bed 13 and rotary head 0 will become electromagnets. Theiropposing faces will therefore become pole-pieces and will attract eachother with considerable force. This force is of course dependent uponthe strength of the energizing-current and the distance between theopposing magnetic faces and may be regulated in accordance with wellknown laws. It will be observed that not only may great crushing forceand great efficiency of action be obtained by such arrangement, but theconstruction of the rotary head may be very light and simple and thenecessity of employing cumbersome mechanisms for exerting a crushingpressure is completely eliminated.

What I claim as my invention is l. A crusher comprising a bed having anupper face which provides a lower series of concentrically-disposedannular ball races or tracks; a number of sets of balls or the like,whereof each set works in one of the races or tracks thus provided; anda rotary head supported above the bed and constructed with a lower facewhich provides an upper series of concentrically-disposed annular ballraces or tracks which lie respectively opposite to the races or tracksprovided by the bed, and upon the sets of balls working therein, andwhich are capable of independent shift or adjustment relatively to therotary head, and in a direction parallel with the axis of rotation andtoward and away from the races or tracks provided by the bed: wherebyeach upper ball race or track can automatically adjust itself withreference to the set of balls upon which it rests, and independently ofthe other upper races or tracks, as set forth.

2. A crusher comprising a bed having an upper face which provides alower series of concentrically-disposed annular ball races or tracks; anumber of sets of balls or the like,

whereof each set works in one of the races or tracks thus provided; arotary head supported in position above the bed; a series ofconcentrically-disposed annular rotary bearings providing an upperseries of concentric annular ball races or tracks which lie respectivelyopposite to the races or tracks provided by the bed, and upon the setsof balls confined therein, and having with the rotary head slidingconnections adapted to permit their. rise and fall relatively to therotary head and independently of one another, and a helix formagnetizing the said rotary head, whereby the latter will tend toattract the said bed.

3. A crusher comprising a bed having an upper conical face provided witha series of concentric annular grooves which form ball races or tracks;a number of sets of balls or the like, whereof each set works in one ofthe races or tracks thus formed; a rotary head supported above thebed-face and arranged for vertical shift or self-adjustment relativelythereto, said rotary head being provided with a central feed-openin gwhich leads to the central portion of the bed-face, and also with anannular groove arranged above the innermost groove thereof; and a seriesof concentrically-disposed ann ular bearingshaving their lower facesgrooved so as to provide an upper series of concentric annular ballraces or tracks which lie respectively opposite to the races or tracksprovided by the bed, and upon the sets of balls working therein, andalso having with the rotary head sliding connections adapted to permittheir rise and fall relatively to the rotary head and independently ofone another.

4. A crusher comprising one or more sets of iron crushin g-bal ls or thelike which are therefore susceptible to magnetic influence; a couple ofrelatively rotatory crushing members providing one or more pairs ofoppositelyarranged races or tracks between which the set or sets ofballs can work, one of said members being constructed of iron andtherefore ICC magnetically susceptible; a magnet attracting both theiron balls and the races or tracks of the magnetically susceptiblecrushing member toward the races of the other mem- I crushing-balls orthe like; a couple of relatively rotatory crushing members providing oneor more pairs of oppositely-arranged races or tracks between which theset or sets of ballscan work; a couple of coattracting magneticpole-pieces lying on opposite sides of the balls, and tending to drawthe oppositelyarranged races or tracks of the two members toward oneanother, and means for magnetizing the said pole-pieces, as set forth.

6. A crusher comprising one or more sets of magnetically-susceptiblecrushing-balls or the like; a couple of relatively rotatorymagnetically-susceptiblecrushing members providing one or more pairs ofoppositely-arranged races or tracks between which the set or sets ofballs can work; and wire helices arranged upon said members, andadapted, when energized, to form of the opposing races or tracksthereof, coattracting magnetic pole-pieces capable of attracting oneanother and the balls, as set forth.

7. A crusher comprising a bed providing a series of concentric annularball races or tracks; a number of sets of balls working in the races ortracks thus provided; a rotary head arranged above the bed and providinga corresponding series of concentric annular ball races or tracks, andhaving an upwardlyextending tubular central portion providing afeed-opening and a core or spindle; and a wire helix wound about thecore or spindle thus provided and adapted, when energized, to magnetizethe ball races or tracks provided by the rotary head, as set forth.

8. A crusher comprising a bed having an upper face provided with aseries of concentric annular grooves providing lower ball races ortracks, and also provided with a series of amalgamating-plates arrangedbetween the grooves; a number of sets of balls working in the races ortracks thus provided; and a rotar head providing an upper correspondingseries of concentric annular ball races or tracks, and having a seriesof covered openings adapted to permit the removal and replacement of theamalgamating-plates without necessitatinga removal of the rotary head,as set forth.

9. A crusher comprising a bed providing one or more annular ball racesor tracks; one or more sets of balls working in the race or races thusprovided; a rotary head arranged above the bed; and one or more bearingsproviding a corresponding number of annular ball races or tracks andrespectively comprising a series of sections which are connected withthe rotary head so as to be capable of independent shift or adjustmentrelatively thereto, and in a direction parallel with the axis ofrotation and toward and away from the races or tracks provided by thebed, as set forth.

10. A crusher comprising a bed providing a series of concentric annularball races of tracks; a number of sets of balls working in the races ortracks thus provided; a rotary head arranged above the bed; a series ofconcentric annular bearings providing a corresponding series of annularball races or tracks, and respectively comprising a series ofinclependently adjustable arc shaped sections suspended from the rotaryhead and connected with the same so as to permit of their adjustingthemselves independently of one another; and spring means for forcingsuch sections independently downward upon the balls, substantially asdescribed.

11. A crusher comprising one or more sets of crushing-balls or the like;a couple of relatively rotary iron crushing members providing one ormore pairs of oppositely-arranged races or tracks between which the setor sets of balls can work; a helix arranged upon one of said crushingmembers, and means for energizing the said helix, whereby the crushingmember thus magnetized will tend to attract both the balls and the othercrushing member.

12. A crusher comprising a bed having a plurality ofconcentrically-arranged annular ball races or tracks; a rotary headarranged above the said bed and provided with a corresponding series ofball races or tracks, and a nu mber of crushing-balls or the likearranged to work between the said oppositely-arranged tracks or races;the said rotary head being arranged for a slight vertical self-adjustment, and the ball races or tracks of the rotary head having, withthe exception of the innermost track, a sliding connection with the saidrotary head adapted to permit an independent self-adjustment on the partof said tracks or races; the said innermost track or race being rigidwith the rotary head.

13. A crusher comprising a bed having a plurality ofconcentrically-arranged annular ball races or tracks; a rotary headarranged above the said bed and provided witha corresponding series ofball races or tracks, and a number of crushing-balls or the likearranged to work between the said oppositely-arranged tracks or races;means for magnetizing the said bed, and means for magnetizing the saidrotary head; the said rotary head being arranged for a slight verticalself-adjustment, and the ball races or tracks of the rotary head having,with the exception of the innermost track, a sliding connection with thesaid rotary head adapted to permit an independent self-adjustment on thepart of said tracks or races; the said innermost track or race beingrigid with the rotary head.

14. A crusher comprising a bed having a plurality ofconcentrically-arranged annular ball races or tracks and a downwardly-extending central tubular portion a rotary head having anupwardly-extending central tubular portion, said head being arrangedabove the said bed and provided with a corresponding series of ballraces or tracks; a number of crushing-balls arranged to work between thesaid oppositely-arranged tracks or races; Wire ing the said helices forthe purpose of formhelices arranged upon the said tubular poringcoattraeting pole-pieces 0f the said bed tions of the bed and rotaryhead; a shaft arand rotary head.

ranged to extend upwardly through the center OOURTLAND SKINNER; of thebed and engaging the rotary head for Witnesses:

the purpose of rotating the latter; means for A. F. DURAND,

driving the said shaft, and means for energiz- L. M. STONE-

